by T.C. Sottek Oct 22, 2016
Like other huge media consolidations, this merger has significant implications for the internet and the entertainment industry. As ISPs have expanded their holdings, they have found themselves competing directly with major content creators like Netflix. And while one substantial complaint of the ISP market is lack of competition, vertical integration forces ISPs to compete with other companies both as distributors and content creators, which has created some awkward situations for consumers.

"AT&T-Time Warner merger approved, setting the stage for more consolidation across corporate America

A federal judge approved AT&T's $85 billion purchase of Time Warner on Tuesday, handing the telecom giant a massive victory that could clip the ambitions of U.S. regulators seeking to block big corporate tie-ups.

The case – one of the most closely watched antitrust trials in decades - is viewed as a bellwether for other deals waiting in the wings. From Comcast’s bid for 21st Century Fox to CVS’s acquisition of Aetna, massive corporations increasingly have sought to expand their reach by buying up companies in different lines of business.

The judge’s decision, which is allowing AT&T to merge with Time Warner without conditions, shows the federal government may struggle to rein in such mergers..."

Sara Salinas | @saracsalinas
A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that AT&T's $85.4 billion bid for Time Warner was legal, imposing no conditions on the merger.
The Justice Department can still appeal the decision, even after the completion of a merger.
The deal could close as soon as Friday.

"AT&T closes deal with Time Warner, and the quick move could pressure regulators not to keep fighting

The rapid moves came as the Justice Department said it would not seek a judicial stay of the deal, even as department officials remained undecided on whether to appeal a judge's decision earlier this week permitting the two companies to move forward..."

The Justice Department will appeal a court ruling that allowed the merger between AT&T and Time Warner. In court records released today, the agency said it plans to take the lower court’s decision to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, in another attempt to block the deal..."

Author: Susan Crawford 07.16.18
All of these things fit together: Comcast wants to buy Sky for the same reason that the Department of Justice is still fighting AT&T. Both Comcast and AT&T want to be high-risk, high-reward media companies, and that's bad news for every other part of the entertainment/data ecosystem—including consumers.